Question
For the past few months I have had chronic heel pain. I work in a pharmacy and never get to sit. The pain is almost debilitating. Once I get home and sit down it's difficult to get back up without limping. It's also worse in the morning. After standing for a long period of time my big toe will also have pain and numbness. If I touch the side of my big toe any time at all now there's numbness in it. Multiple family members have plantars fasciitis which is what I think is causing the heel pain, but I'm baffled by the big toe pain and numbness. Any ideas as to what this could be?

Answer
You're right, Stephanie, the heel pain is more than likely plantar fasciitis.  The numbness is probably due to the pressure of standing at the pharmacy, compensation from the heel pain, and pressure on the inside of your ankle.  Probably a combination of all 3.  You should visit your podiatrist to help you with the heel pain and also help the pain and numbness.  You don't have to suffer.

All the best,
Andrew Schneider, DPM

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